Eternal procession of the Holy Spirit

The doctrine of the eternal procession of the Holy Spirit is related to the doctrine of the eternal generation of the Son; however, in Christian theology procession (or spiration) is viewed as being mysteriously different from generation in order to distinguish the Holy Spirit from the Son.

[1][2][3][4] In Western Christianity, the Holy Spirit is viewed to proceed from the Father and the Son.

This is in contrast to the Eastern churches, which argue that the Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father.

This issue has led to the filioque controversy and was a large question in the East-West schism.

[11] In contrast, Eastern Orthodox theologians will dispute that these texts should be understood as referring to the eternal procession of the Holy Spirit.